Pastoral Prayer from 12-22-13

When indicated by “In your mercy Lord” please respond with “hear our prayer”

O God of pregnant expectation, we eagerly look for signs of you in our lives.  In the crowded markets in which we live it is easy to miss the signs of you at work in and around us. 

-         Angry honks of frustration from people looking for the closest spot drown out the sounds of joy coming from relieved parents whose children will receive gifts in your honor;

-         Long receipts filled with evidence of the things that will surround our trees distract us from the time we have to spend with those we love.

 Help us to pause in the midst of the chaos to breath in your goodness, to absorb the grace, to fully experience your presence at work in our lives so we are able to see you more easily and to hear you calling our names. 

In your mercy Lord                        Hear our prayer

We pray for your Beloved children everywhere who are wandering on roads, looking for shelter from the storms of life; may they feel your guidance and may our eyes be opened so we can hear you calling them beloved.

In your mercy Lord                        Hear our prayer

O Light who shines in the darkness, we pray for those whose grief clouds out the joy, for those who experience the longest night every day; may the warmth of your light surround our brothers and sisters and help them to know you sure presence and comfort. 

In your mercy Lord                        Hear our prayer

Oh Child of Peace, into a world filled with violence, we pray you would come once again…too many places know war…too many people have lost loved ones to gun violence…too many people live in fear…Come, O Come Emmanuel and ransom this world from our captivity to carnage and intimidation…Come, O Come Emmanuel and with you bring the light of love once again that we see the harmony of our differences fill the world with your peace.

In your mercy Lord                        Hear our prayer